Each new release in its interconnected series of superhero films — which began in 2008 with Iron Man— comes with a suitcase full of expectations. This has probably never been more true than it is for Captain Marvel— the 21st entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the first Marvel film to feature a woman front and centre.

And when it comes with the tagline, “Higher, further, faster,” you’re led to believe this will be an MCU hero like none other. Ant-Man this isn’t.

Does it work? The short answer is: yes. There’s enough to keep both diehard Marvel fans and newcomers engaged.

Captain Marvel is expected to play a big role in next month’s Avengers: Endgame (she was summoned by Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury in the film’s post-credits scene), so it’s a good jumping off point for newbies. Her introduction also ushers in new cosmic storytelling possibilities and, with its ‘90s setting, it allows Marvel to build an origin tale unencumbered by the 20 other movies that have preceded it. It’s definitely wedded to Thanos’ Infinity Stones and future Avengers films, but the ties are loose.

Our titular hero won’t know the importance of those associations until much later on.

Oscar winner Brie Larson plays Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers/Vers in a part that manages to feel both familiar and fresh. But at times, the actress seems stiff and a little unsure she wants to be there, almost forcing the sly charm that has come effortlessly to other actors in the MCU.

She’s best when acting opposite Marvel stalwart Jackson, who gets an expanded role playing a digitally de-aged Fury, and Lashana Lynch, as Carol’s earthbound pal Maria Rambeau.

Working from a story with five credited names (usually never a good thing), indie directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson, Mississippi Grind) plunk audiences right in the middle of the action. It’s their first work on a large scale, but they expertly handle big space battles and close-combat scenes with ease.

On the planet of Hala, Carol, who goes by the name Vers when the movie opens, is training to be a Kree soldier under the tutelage of Yon-Rogg (Jude Law). But the upstart warrior, full of spunk and … amnesia, keeps having flashbacks featuring a character played by Annette Bening that hint at a past life somewhere else.

During her training, Carol is repeatedly told to “control her emotions,” and before she knows it, she’s thrust into a rescue mission that finds her at odds with the shape-shifting Skrulls (led by Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos), an alien race who are at war with the Krees.

When the op goes wrong, Carol finds herself crash-landing on Planet C-53 — a.k.a. Earth — through the roof of a Blockbuster Video store, no less. There, she encounters a young Fury, who is very quickly convinced that he’s dealing with otherworldly forces. It’s also while she’s on Earth that Carol starts to piece together those memories that keep popping back into her mind.

Then there’s those pesky Skrulls hot on her tail, who can deceptively turn into regular-looking humans on a dime.

The plot starts to spin its wheels a little as she digs deeper into her past and the mysterious character Bening plays (there’s a major twist you may see coming), and the film relegates secondary actors Gemma Chan (Minn-Erva), Djimon Hounsou (Korath) and Lee Pace (Ronan the Accuser) into glorified extras.

Still, the repartee between Carol and Fury is immensely fun to watch. A scene-stealing cat named Goose shows up, and even if you aren’t into felines you will be by the end. Add to that ‘90s nods, which include painfully slow dial-up Internet and a soundtrack featuring TLC, No Doubt, Garbage and Elastica, and you have a delightful nostalgia trip (if you’re old enough to remember any of it).

As Carol starts to peel back the layers to who she really is, the film works as a parable for young women to seek out and defy conventions when they exit the theatre.

How Carol got the powers that transform her into Captain Marvel will surprise and the fallout from that revelation will allow Marvel to venture down different avenues in its future films.

Of course, what this means going forward will become clearer once Endgame hits theatres next month.

But one thing is certain: Thanos, you have a problem.

Brie Larson in a scene from Marvel's Captain Marvel. (Marvel Studios)

Jude Law and Brie Larson in a scene from Marvel's Captain Marvel. (Marvel Studios)

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